ABS light coming on

The are dozens of different reasons for the yellow warning light turning on, so to say it is all over the internet can apply to a lot of different causes but most of the problems can be related to the wheel speed sensor that is out.

Here is a guide that can help you test and get the problem fixed:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/abs-wheel-speed-sensor-test

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/abs-warning-light-on-easy-repair-guide

and

https://youtu.be/Pb6nXV-iamI

If you cannot find the wheel sensor that is out the place to start is by having the diagnostic fault code(s) read. Those will get you into the right circuit, not necessarily to the defective part. The fact that the red light is also on is likely related. That light turns on if the parking brake pedal is not all the way up, there was unequal hydraulic pressures in the two circuits, or if the brake fluid level is low in the reservoir.

Ford is the only manufacturer that uses a non-spring-loaded pressure-differential valve to turn the light on when system pressures are unequal. That valve and switch can trip during brake bleeding or even just from pumping the pistons out of the calipers to contact the new pads right after installing them.

That valve can be real frustrating to center so the light will go off. You have to unplug its electrical connector to see if that is the cause for the light being on. Usually when the red light is on, the yellow one will also turn on and the computer will disable the ABS system because it does not know why that red light is on. It assumes the cause will prevent the ABS system from working properly.

As for a recall, that is only done when there is a known common problem related to safety or emissions. Pattern failures which are common ones that you hear about over and over are just that; common problems. Every manufacturer has them but that does not mean they warrant a recall. There was nothing defective about the parts. They just wore out real fast.

We are glad you fixed the problem I have been with 2CarPros for over ten years now and we have helped fix more cars for people just like you.

The correct reading is counter-clockwise. After that, it will follow engine speed back down like normal. A brief tap on the accelerator pedal seems a much more logical choice than taking the cluster apart.

The issue still remains that if you indeed found the cause of the warning light to be electrical in nature, that defect is going to prevent the ABS system from working properly either due to incorrect input information or because the computer detected it, set the fault code, and shut the system down.

If your power assist comes from brake fluid pumped up to very high pressure, you need the system functioning to have power brakes. I am not recommending disabling the system. If you were to do that, your safest bet would be to remove everything in the hydraulic system, then install the combination valve made for that vehicle without ABS.

Part of that valve limits brake fluid pressure to the rear to prevent rear-wheel-lockup under hard braking. The valve is carefully calibrated to maintain balanced braking, front-to-rear, based on vehicle weight distribution and weight transfer. Also, without ABS you have a split-diagonal hydraulic system. The insures that if there is a leak in one half of the system, the other half is working one front brake.

Thanks again for using the site.

Hello and thanks for the donation!

First you may want to inspect your vehicle's brake fluid level in the reservoir. Let me know how that looks.

Did this cause the ABS and brake warning lamps to go out?

Okay, you will need to have the ABS system scanned for the trouble code(s) it has stored. This will pinpoint the cause of the lights and where the malfunction is in the system.

Hi scooter1998,

Thank you for the donation.

What other trouble codes are showing?
Code C1185 = Power Relay Output Circuit Failure.

If the manual for your tool indicates how to go into ABS scan mode then it will be fine. If there is no ABS scan mode on your tool then you may have to go to a shop to have it scanned.